Fiction

How powerful would you consider the irony, if the world’s greatest crime fiction writer was to be sucked into a real life mystery in which she herself takes centre stage? Will Mrs. Christie fall victim to the schemes of a mad doctor or will she use her expertise to escape his dangerous game?

The past comes to haunt a wealthy gentleman in Agatha Christie’s novel the Murder on the Links. In the story Poirot faces a surprising adversary and an old murder mystery is used as the key to solving a new crime.

Entering the beautiful Bertram’s hotel in London is like travelling back in time; for Miss Marple it is a trip down memory lane. But what truly lies behind the polite smiles of the staff and impeccable service? Is the elegant décor and the charming atmosphere a front for something rotten and horrible?

When Hercule Poirot arrives at The Hollow – home of the Angkatell family – he is greeted by what he perceives to be an artificial murder scene staged for his amusement. Soon the world famous detective understands the horrible truth: in front of his eyes lies a dying man uttering his last words.

Agatha Christie was born a Victorian but grew up in a time when women had one foot in a crinoline and the other down a trouser leg. The Great War came and people started toppling off their Victorian pedestals into a steadily germinating modernity. More and more women were learning how to drive, volunteering as aid during the war, running establishments and basically entering what were predominantly patriarchal roles; finally, sexual stereotypes and gender roles were being renegotiated.

*MILD SPOILERS AHEAD*

We don’t know if you’ll agree with us, but we think Valentine’s Day is most certainly one of the most tiresome holidays of the year. To make it a bit more fun, we’ve attempted something brave – Agatha Christie themed e-wishes! Whether you’re happily single, playing the field, in love or in the friend zone, we’ve got you covered. Here are our 14 favourite pairings from the Christie canon:

1. General Alistair & Margaret Ravenscroft (Elephants Can Remember)

2. Jane Marple & Her Knitting

3. Thomas & Prudence Beresford (Tommy & Tuppence)

4. Patrick & Christine Redfern (Evil Under the Sun)

5. Philip Lombard & Vera Claythorne (And Then There Were None)

6. Amyas & Caroline Crale (Five Little Pigs)

7. Hercule Poirot & Countess Vera Rossakoff

8. Simon Doyle & Jacqueline De Bellefort (Death on the Nile)

9. Amy Murgatroyd & Lizzie Hinchcliffe (A Murder is Announced)

10. Salome Otterbourne & Her Booze (Death on the Nile)

11. Hercule Poirot & Felicity Lemon

12. Captain Arthur Hastings & Dulcie ‘Bella’ Duveen

13. Jerry Burton & Megan Hunter (The Moving Finger)

14. Hercule Poirot & Robert ‘Bob’ Arundel (Dumb Witness)

Wherever in the world you are, do let us know who your favourite couple is in the comments below! Happy Valentine’s Day!